Sometimes it seems like there are just as many questions about cover letters as there are about resumes. The truth is, though, that if you understand the basics of what makes a good cover letter and what doesn’t, then writing one is pretty straightforward.
| Takeaways |
|---|
| A well-crafted cover letter can help you stand out in a competitive job market. |
| Your cover letter should be tailored to the job and highlight your relevant skills and experience. |
| It’s important to research the company and the role before writing your cover letter. |
| Use a professional tone and format when writing your cover letter. |
| Don’t just repeat your resume – use your cover letter to provide additional information and context. |
| Proofread your cover letter carefully before submitting it to ensure it is free of errors. |
Are Cover Letters Important?
A cover letter is your chance to explain why you’re a good fit for the job, and it’s also an opportunity to show off your personality. It’s not just a summary of your resume it should tell a story about how you became interested in this particular position, what makes you excited about working there, and why they should choose you over other candidates.
If done right, cover letters can help build rapport with hiring managers by showing that you’ve taken the time to learn about their company and industry.
If crafted poorly, however, or if they’re unnecessary altogether cover letters can come off as awkward or uninterested (which may have been fine when you were applying for summer camp counselor jobs in high school but definitely won’t fly now).
If you have a lot of relevant experience, you may need to go beyond one page for your cover letter. Check out our guide on writing a two-page cover letter to learn how to effectively showcase your skills and qualifications.
What Are The Rules For A Cover Letter?
In the first paragraph, you should introduce yourself and let the hiring manager know how you found out about the job.
In the second paragraph, explain why you want to work at that particular company and how your skills would be beneficial to them. Use bullet points or numbered paragraphs so they’re easy to read!
In the third paragraph, tell them why you think this position would be a good fit for your career goals (and if possible include any relevant experience). Don’t forget: include a closing sentence thanking them for their consideration!
How Long Should A Cover Letter Be?
There is no hard and fast rule about how long a cover letter should be, but there are some guidelines that can help you write one that’s just the right length.
One page: The consensus among job recruiters is that a cover letter shouldn’t be more than one page in length.
Anything longer is likely to make it seem like you’re trying too hard, or worse yet, hiding something (this seems especially likely if it’s your first time applying for jobs). While there are certainly some exceptions a particularly creative or unusual candidate may well need more space to convey their personality generally speaking this guideline holds.
Two pages: Similarly, two pages should be enough space to properly convey all of your qualifications for the position at hand.
If after reading over what you’ve written so far, there still seems like there might be something important left out of your letter (for example references), then feel free to include another page instead of cutting down on content by trying to squeeze everything into just one page.
Three pages: In most cases though if someone has worked their way up through several positions within an organization before being promoted into management roles (as opposed to coming from outside with no experience working within any particular industry), then three pages are probably plenty of room for them as well!
A great way to make your cover letter stand out is by explaining why you are a good match for the company and the role. Check out our guide on writing a cover letter that explains your fit to learn how to highlight your unique qualities and strengths.
How Do I Write A Cover Letter That Stands Out?
Keep it short and sweet: You only have a few seconds to catch your reader’s attention, so make sure that you don’t waste any time with unnecessary information.
Don’t just repeat your resume: The cover letter is an opportunity to introduce yourself as a person, not just as a candidate. Don’t make it too personal: Avoid mentioning anything about your personal life or hobbies that don’t relate directly to the job opportunity itself this will only distract from your qualifications!
Don’t use a template: While there are many resources available online for creating cover letters, they may not be tailored specifically for the positions you’re applying for and could easily end up sounding generic or impersonal because of it which is never good! Don’t make it too formal:
A friendly tone should always be used when writing any sort of business correspondence; however, depending on how informal or professional the company you’re contacting tends to be (or if they’ve shared other information about themselves in their job posting),
Making sure not to go overboard here either can help ensure that yours comes across as genuine rather than overly stuffed up with formality which might turn off potential employers who prefer more casual interactions at work anyway!
And finally, don’t stuff in buzzwords! We all know what these are-but unless there’s been some kind of mistake, made somewhere along this process where somehow one slipped through unnoticed anyway-avoid using them anywhere within your cover letter
Otherwise, chances are high people won’t even read past those first few words before deciding against hiring someone like us instead.”
Why Is A Cover Letter Important?
Cover letters are one of the best ways to stand out from the crowd and make a great first impression.
A cover letter allows you to explain gaps in your employment history if any.
A cover letter allows you to explain why you want this specific job so that the hiring manager or recruiter will be able to see how much thought and effort you’ve put into it.
Finally, a cover letter also allows you the opportunity to demonstrate how qualified you are for this position by providing examples of relevant experience or accomplishments!
Your cover letter can be the key to landing an interview, so it’s important to make it stand out. Check out our guide on writing a cover letter that will land you the interview to learn how to craft a compelling and effective cover letter.
What’s The Purpose Of A Cover Letter?
A cover letter is essentially an introduction to you, the applicant. It’s where you can explain why you’re applying for a specific position and what skills and experience you have that make you a good fit for the job.
A good cover letter should:
Introduce yourself. Tell your potential employer who you are, what kind of work experience or education you have, and why they should hire someone like you especially when there are hundreds of other candidates who could also do this job well.
Explain how much this job means to you personally. If it’s really important to get hired by this company or in this field, tell them!
Show that their business matters and will make all the difference in helping your career take off (if that’s true). This might help give them some extra incentive not only to consider hiring someone like yourself but also specifically hiring YOU!
How Do You Start A Cover Letter?
By now, you should have figured out what type of job you’d like to apply for and made a list of potential companies that would suit your needs.
For example, if you’re applying for an unpaid internship with a fashion brand and are looking to move into the marketing world after graduation, start by searching for companies that fit that description.
Once you’ve found a few options, take some time to research each one this way, when it comes time to write your cover letter and resume (more on this later), you’ll be able to show off exactly why these positions are perfect for you!
You can also use LinkedIn as a resource; if the company in question has any bios posted there or is listed as one of their employees’ connections on the site (or even if they’re not), this is an opportunity for another easy Google search.
Use keywords from their job postings as well as phrases from their bios/links to get more information about what makes them unique this will help inform both how much effort goes into crafting each letter/resume as well as provide insight into whether or not this would be right career move overall.”
A well-crafted cover letter can help you stand out in a competitive job market. Check out our guide on how cover letters can help your job search to learn why cover letters are important and how they can make a difference in your job search.
When Should I Send A Cover Letter?
With your resume: When you’re applying for a job and you want to include a cover letter with your application.
With your resume and application: If you’re applying for a job online, the hiring manager might ask that all applicants apply. If so, it’s best to send along your cover letter at the same time as your resume and application.
Without any other documents or materials: If all you have is a resume, but not an actual job posting from which to draw inspiration, then send along just the cover letter it will help flesh out the contents of the document without overwhelming it.
Do I Need To Make A Cover Letter?
I am sure you have heard about the importance of a cover letter and you might be wondering why.
Well, there are many reasons why a cover letter is important. Here are some of them:
A cover letter can help you stand out from other applicants. It gives an insight into who you are and what makes your application unique.
A cover letter can make you more memorable to an employer as they usually get hundreds of applications for each job vacancy advertised.
A well-written and thought-out cover letter will help people remember your credentials even when they don’t hire right away but come back later on after interviewing other candidates who may not have sent in a cover letter with their application form or resume which makes them much less likely to be hired over someone else who did send one along with their application
Materials; especially if there isn’t much difference between both candidates’ qualifications as far as experience goes but still want something “extra” from each person before making a final decision!
That extra could just be based on how thorough their application process was (including all documents needed) rather than quality alone; which means sending everything in clearly labeled can also save time for HR staff too – making things easier overall!
Should You Include Your Address On A Cover Letter?
If you are applying for a job in your local area, you can leave off your address. However, if you are applying for a job in a different area or even out of state, include your full address with your apartment number and city. This will make it easier for the hiring manager to contact you if they want to interview you further.
When submitting your resume and cover letter via email, be sure to include your email address at the end of both documents so that hiring managers can reach out directly if they have questions or want to schedule an interview with you.
A strong cover letter can help you get the job you want. Check out our guide on how a cover letter can help you get your desired job to learn how to write a cover letter that showcases your skills, experience, and enthusiasm for the role.
Is It Okay To Send My Resume As An Attachment? Or Should It Be In The Body Of An Email?
You’re probably wondering about the best way to send your resume. At first glance, it might seem like an attachment is the best option. However, attachments are not ideal for sending resumes because they:
- Are more likely to be ignored
- Are harder to read
- Are harder to print
- Are harder to search through and find on the recipient’s computer
If you have a PDF version of your resume handy, I recommend sending that as an attachment rather than the .docx or .pdf file itself. If you don’t have a PDF version available and can’t make one easily (for example, if yours has been customized by someone else), there’s still hope!
It’s okay if your resume isn’t in a format that can be read by every applicant tracking software out there as long as it looks readable enough when opened up in Word or Google Docs.
What Are Some Good Tips For Writing An Email When Sending My Resume?
- Do not use too many emoticons.
- Don’t use too many abbreviations.
- Don’t use too many exclamation marks.
- Don’t use too many caps (unless it’s an acronym or something like that).
Avoid emoji in your cover letter unless it’s relevant to the job you’re applying for, like maybe if there’s a weirdly specific emoji that represents the company culture or something like that (but even then probably don’t do it).
It just looks unprofessional and makes you look younger than you are. Also, if you want people to take you seriously, don’t text-speak in an email; use proper grammar and punctuation!
I’m Applying For Several Similar Jobs. Can I Use The Same Cover Letter For All Of Them?
You can use the same cover letter for multiple jobs. However, if you’re applying to several similar positions (such as “assistant” or “manager”), it’s best not to have a generic resume and cover letter. Instead, tailor each application specifically to the position in question.
You can also use a generic cover letter that lists multiple jobs if they are all within the same industry or fall under similar titles. This option is ideal if you want to highlight your skills and experience without having to go over them repeatedly in every application.
Additionally, some online resources offer pre-made templates for creating job applications – this might be another good way of streamlining your job search process!
Should I Send My Resume As? Doc Or. Docx Or. PDF? Or Does It Even Matter?
Or maybe something else entirely. any advice on that would be appreciated.
It’s a common myth that you need to send your resume as a .doc file. It’s not true! It can be much better for your career if you send it in another format:
PDF. The Portable Document Format (PDF) is the most widely used file format on the planet because it can be read by any computer, smartphone, or tablet that has Adobe Reader installed on it. This means that even if an employer doesn’t have Microsoft Word installed on their computer, they’ll still be able to open and view your document with no problem at all!
DOCX or DOCM? Most people think these are interchangeable versions of Microsoft Word documents but they’re not!
While both formats use .docx extensions, one is optimized for Mac computers while the other isn’t so if you’re applying for jobs from within Apple-owned businesses like Apple itself or IBM (who owns ThinkPad laptops), make sure you save files as “macro-enabled” instead of just plain vanilla “.docx”.
Conclusion
I hope that this post was helpful and clear. I know it can be confusing, but don’t worry! If you have any questions or comments please feel free to contact me at my email address below.
Further Reading
Here are some additional resources to help you improve your cover letter:
Do I Need a Cover Letter? – Learn why cover letters are important and when you should include one in your job application.
How to Write a Cover Letter – A step-by-step guide on how to write an effective cover letter, including tips and examples.
How to Write a Cover Letter: Guide – A comprehensive guide to writing a cover letter, including tips on formatting, tone, and content.
FAQs
What is a cover letter?
A cover letter is a document that accompanies your resume and introduces you to the employer. It typically includes information about your qualifications, experience, and interest in the position.
Do I need a cover letter for every job application?
It depends on the employer’s requirements. Some job postings may specifically request a cover letter, while others may not. However, including a cover letter with your resume can help you stand out as a candidate and demonstrate your interest in the position.
How long should a cover letter be?
A cover letter should typically be one page or less. It should be concise and focused on highlighting your relevant qualifications and experience.
How do I format a cover letter?
A cover letter should follow a professional business letter format, including a header with your contact information, the date, and the employer’s contact information. It should also include a greeting, an introduction, a body paragraph, and a closing.
What should I include in a cover letter?
A cover letter should include a brief introduction of yourself, an explanation of why you are interested in the position, a summary of your relevant qualifications and experience, and a closing statement thanking the employer for considering your application.
Costantine Edward is a digital marketing expert, freelance writer, and entrepreneur who helps people attain financial freedom. I’ve been working in marketing since I was 18 years old and have managed to build a successful career doing what I love.